Income

Income, Assets & Program Participation

Assets

The Young Adults have been asked relatively few questions about their assets and debts. From 1994 to 1998, respondents were asked the following questions:

whether they or their spouse/partner had received any property or money valued at over $100, from any estates, trusts, inheritances, or gifts from relatives or friends in the last calendar year

whether their house/apartment was owned or being bought by them or their spouse/partner

what the market value was for their owned house/apartment

how much they owed on their mortgage

whether there was other debt on the property

whether they or their spouse/partner owned any motorized vehicles

how much was owed on these motorized vehicles

how much these vehicles were worth

whether they or their spouse/partner owned any other items, each worth $500 or more

the total value of these items

whether they or their spouse/partner owed over $500 to any stores, doctors, hospitals, banks or anyone else, excluding 30-day charge accounts

the total amount owed

From 2000 to 2004, Young Adults answered a much reduced set of questions, including:

whether their house/apartment was owned or being bought by them or their spouse/partner

whether they or their spouse/partner owned any motorized vehicles

whether they or their spouse/partner owed any money on credit cards

how much money was owed on these cards

Since 2006, the Young Adult survey has included a more expanded set of questions:

whether their house/apartment is owned or being bought by them or their spouse/partner

what the market value of the house/apartment is

how much is owed on the house/apartment

whether they or their spouse/partner own any other real estate

what the market values of that other real estate is

how much is owed on that other real estate

whether they or their spouse/partner own any motorized vehicles

how much is owed on these motorized vehicles

how much these vehicles are worth

whether they or their spouse/partner have any credit cards that they pay the bills on

whether they owe money on these cards

how much they owe on these cards

Comparison to Other NLS Cohorts: Information on assets has been regularly collected from each cohort (except for NLSY79 children under age 15). Users should note, however, that the assets included have varied widely over time and among cohorts. Data on the respondent's debts have been collected from each cohort on a less regular basis. For more precise details about the content of each survey, consult the appropriate cohort's User's Guide using the tabs above for more information.

Survey Instruments

Questions on assets are found in the Young Adult Instrument, Section 15, Income and Assets.